The UK's faltering acquisition of a next-generation fleet of inflight refuelling aircraft has taken a further twist, with a US-based group having emerged to promote a new lease solution based on the McDonnell Douglas KC-10/KDC-10 tanker/transport already in service with the Netherlands and US air forces.
A collaborative venture between Evergreen Aviation and Omega Air, the Global Airtanker Service (GAS) is offering to have up to 10 KDC-10s available for the UK from January 2006, with a proposed total fleet of 20 aircraft. The company's KDC-10s - one of which will be on static display at this week's Farnborough air show - can be equipped with wing pods and a centreline hose to perform three-point tanker duties.
The GAS proposal is being made as an alternative to the UK's planned 27-year Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) private finance initiative deal with the EADS-led AirTanker consortium, which has been selected to supply Airbus A330-200s adapted for the tanker/transport role. Negotiations have been under way for months, but have faltered on cost grounds. Industry sources say the GAS team could be supported in the UK by Serco - part of the Boeing-led Tanker Transport and Service Company team eliminated from the FSTA contest earlier this year.
CRAIG HOYLE / LONDON
Source: Flight International
